Moving to a new country for work can be overwhelming, and to make it easier for you we have complied a checklist with things to consider prior to your move.

Know your living costs in the new countryThe amount it costs to live varies greatly around the world. We advise you to try this cost of living comparison site to get an idea of the price level in the country you’re moving to. https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/comparison.jsp

Ask about relocation assistance
Many companies provide a relocation package for foreign employees. The package may include paid flights, temporary accommodation and assistance with important paperwork. Make sure that you know what is included in the relocation package and plan accordingly.

Save up enough money for your initial expensesConsider how much money it costs to move to the new country and be sure to have enough money saved to live comfortably until your first salary is paid. Some of the expenses you should consider are rent and a possible deposit for your accommodation.

Make sure that your passport is up to dateMany countries have guidelines stating that your passport shouldn’t expire within a specific number of months from the time of your move. Passport renewal is usually affordable but can take up to several weeks. If you’re in a rush, you can normally make the process faster for an additional fee.

Inform the authorities about your moveContact your home country’s tax authorities and inform them about your move abroad. Be sure to also re-route your mail and update your address.

Cancel memberships and subscriptionsIf you have a gym membership or any other subscriptions in your home country that won’t be needed after you move, make sure to cancel them.

Minimize the expenses in your home country
Do you have a rental apartment, car payments or any other monthly expenses that are not absolutely necessary after the move abroad? Consider which utilities will be important during your stay in the new country and try to get rid of unnecessary expenses at home.

Read up on cultureThe culture in the country you are moving to may differ substantially from what you are used to and the standard of living might be very different as well. It’s a good idea to do proper research prior to your departure to avoid ending up in problematic situations. For example apartments might not reach the same standards everywhere or dealing with authorities might have different rules.

Make a list of what you intend to take with youCreate a checklist of things that you want to bring to the new country. Try to keep it simple and bring only the essentials. If you come up with more things at a later stage, you can always ship them.

We hope that this checklist will make your move abroad smoother! Remember, in the end it’s all about the attitude. The initial weeks in a new country can be tough even for those with previous experience, so give it time. We wish you good luck with your new adventure!